In the original "Nigerian Scam", people claiming to family members of former heads of states or other public figures from Nigeria and other countries in Africa and Asia, look for someone helping them to move money to another country for a share of the loot, usually in the region of 10-35% of the (fictitious) fortune. Anyone careless enough to get involved with these scammers will then be asked to send cash to the scammers to pay for various expenses, without ever seeing a cent of the promised fortune.

The following is an incomplete list of public figures mentioned in 419 scam emails.

JOHN Y. WINPOE (former DEPUTY MINISTER OF NATIONAL SECURITY in LIBERIA)

JOHN YORMIE WINPOE (former DEPUTY MINISTER OF NATIONAL SECURITY in LIBERIA)

MUSA YAKUBU (COTONUO-BENIN REPUBLIC)

Some common phrases:

Investment Assistance
the son of late
After the death of my father,
security company
trunk boxes
Sir, my intention now is to invest in your country

Example scam mail:

STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL/URGENT
FROM: MRS. MARIAM ABACHA
KANO- NIGERIA.
MY DEAR
I am Mrs. Mariam Abacha, the widow of the late Gen.Sanni Abacha former
Nigeria Military Head of State who died mysteriously as a result of
Cardiac Arrest Since after my husband's death my family is under
restriction of movement and that not withstanding, we are being
molested by police and our Bank Account both here and abroad are being
frozen by the Nigerian Democratic Government, Following the recent
discovery of my husband's Bank Account by the Nigeria Government with
Swiss Bank in which the huge sum of
US$700 Million and DM450 Million was logged.
I therefore decided to contact you in confidence that I was able to
move out the sum of US$30,000,000 which was secretly defaced and is
sealed in four Metal boxes for security reasons, I therefore
personally, appeal to you Seriously and religiously for your urgent
assistance to move this money into your country where I believe it will
be safe since I cannot leave the country now due to the restriction of
movement imposed on the members of my family by the Nigeria Government.
Please kindly send your telephone,fax number and also your full
names,address me.
Please for more details contact my son MOHAMMED ABACHA on his private
number 234-803-514-3688 email :mariamxx2@eramail.co.za.Please visit
this website :http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/468903.stm so
that he can send to all the related documents so that you can procced
to claim the Luggage from the security company.
Conclusively, we have agreed to offer you 20% of the total sum while
75% is to before me and my family for profitiable business investment
which you will advice me on.preferable
propperties in your country subsequent to my free movement by the
Nigeria Government.
While 5% is mapped out for expenses as your government may demand for
tax and it also covers your telephone bills. Please reply urgently and
treat with absolute confidentiality and sincerity.
Best regards.
HAJIA MARIAM ABACHA (MRS)
NOTE:WHY I CONTACT YOU NOW IS THE CURRENT APPEAL BY OUR PRESIDENT CHIEF
OLUSOGUN OBASUNJO TO THE WORLD LEADERS ON THE UNITED NATION RGANISATION
MEETING IN NEW YORK CITY (USA)TO ASSIST IN RETURING MY HUSBAND FUND IN
FOREIGN ACCOUNTS.